Autumn Fair: How can Independent Retailers survive 2026?
Retail marketplace Autumn Fair has launched the latest episode of its Retail Makeover...
Craft Focus magazine is a bi-monthly trade publication for the craft industry, distributed to Art & Craft shops, Toy shops, Model shops, Haberdashers and Needlecraft retailers.
Each issue contains detailed information on upcoming trade shows and reviews many new and innovative products, enabling retailers to make informed and profitable buying decisions for their business. Find out more about the magazine here.
Subscribe now and we shall tell you the moment a new issue of Craft Focus magazine is out! You will also receive our free monthly newsletter too.
Autumn Fair: How can Independent Retailers survive 2026?
Retail marketplace Autumn Fair has launched the latest episode of its Retail Makeover...
Association for Cultural Enterprises Opens Applications for Seeds of Change 2026
Applications are now open for Seeds of Change 2026, the Association...
h+h Cologne - Top-quality visitors are making the industry shine
After three successful trade fair days, h+h cologne, which was held at the fair...
THE GIFTWARE ASSOCIATION IS OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF RETAIL ROAR 2026
The Giftware Association is delighted to announce its sponsorship of Retail Roar...
Welcome to our fi rst issue of 2026! We hope you enjoyed a fantastic ‘golden quarter’ and are feeling positive and inspired for the year ahead in retail. In this jam-packed edition, we look ahead to brighter days with our spring and Easter craft guide, alongside our spring fabrics feature. You’ll fi nd plenty of uplifting projects your customers will love, paired with a fresh, cheerful colour palette to help chase away those January blues.
We also showcase a variety of exciting sewing projects, including new cross stitch kits from Bothy Threads, as well as Bamboline Dolls – a wonderful new addition to Creative Solutions.
Elsewhere, we take a deep dive into the upcoming h+h cologne trade fair and catch up with its sister show, h+h americas, featuring a Q&A with Darrin Stern, President and Managing Director of KM Inc.Pantone has unveiled Cloud Dancer as its Colour of the Year, inspiring our round-up of soft, billowy white products that are sure to delight. We also round up the latest show and industry news.
As always, we’d love to hear from you. Do keep in touch with your latest products and industry news – we’re just a phone call away!
Happy reading
Rachel Westall, Editor
PS. If you have any news you would like to submit to this site or Craft Focus magazine, please email editor@craftfocus.com
Rachel x
You might think running the London Marathon would be challenge enough. But this April, Simon Fannon — better known as @veteranknitter — is proving that ordinary limits simply don't apply to him. A Stylecraft Insider and former Royal Marine Commando, Simon is taking on 26.2 miles with an extra twist: he'll be attempting a Guinness World Records title for knitting a scarf while running the marathon on 26th April 2026. If you would like to make a donation to support Simon's charities follow this link or check out his bio, @veteranknitter, on Instagram or TikTok.
If you like this, check out more inspirational ideas.
This Q&A with Amelia Gallichan, Sales and Marketing Assistant at Exacompta Clairefontaine, explores the company's transformation from Tollit & Harvey to Exaclair Ltd, and what that shift has meant for growth, design and the wider stationery sector. Exacompta Clairefontaine is a French company with a long and respected history in the stationery and creative industries, dating back to 1858. Over the years, the group has expanded internationally, with subsidiaries and operations across the globe, including in Japan, the US, and Europe.
SoloCrafts is based in Manchester, where it moved when the current owners took charge in 2014. Since then, it has been operating as a distributor of cross stitch and other needlecrafts for some of the world's biggest brands. Solocrafts is currently working with 15 brands covering cross stitch, tapestry, embroidery and most recently, knitting yarns. Emma Smith Managing Director of SoloCrafts talks to Craft Focus about working with some of the 15 biggest names in needlework...
